Students ready for Silverstone contest

High-octane students are set to race into action this weekend - after landing the backing of a city firm for an innovative motor racing contest.

Members of the Sheffield University Racing Team will be heading to famed race track Silverstone this weekend for the finals of the Formula Student event.

And the team will be backed up in their drive by Sheffield-based MachineWorks Ltd which has pledged its support with sponsorship for the team.

The firm has also contributed by supplying the technology to create a 3D model of a clutch system that the Racing Team had designed, in order for it to be 3D printed and installed into the car.

The Formula Student motor sport competition tasks universities around the world with designing and building their own single-seat racing car before putting it to the test at Silverstone.

The contest at the home of the British Grand Prix brings together students from different areas of engineering to demonstrate their engineering ability and test their skills against other teams.

MachineWorks is passionate about encouraging talent and innovation within engineering and agreed to sponsor the team and provide them with both technical and financial support.

Managing director David Manley said: “We hope that our contribution will aid them in achieving their goals for the competition and we are very happy to be involved in a project that showcases the engineering talent that is out there” The final takes place between July 10-12 and some of the MachineWorks staff will be there to cheer on the Sheffield University team and see their car in action.